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Gun Owner Faces Charges After Child Fatally Shoots Himself

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DUNDEE (WWJ/AP) – A friend of the family is due in court Monday in connection with the death of a young boy.

Police said 3 1/2-year-old Damon Holbrook, on Sunday, picked up a gun that was left on the floor and shot himself in the head.

The gun belonged to a man who was staying with Damon’s family, Dundee police Sgt. Tom Redmond said.

“He was negligent in securing the gun and (not) unloading the gun and leaving it accessible to a small child,” Redmond said.

The man, whose name was not immediately released, was remorseful but has been charged with manslaughter and gross negligence, the sergeant said.

Police said the man was a friend of the boy’s father.

“He had just arrived home from work. He had a pistol license,” Redmond said. “He left the portable case on the bedroom closet floor and walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. … Whenever there’s kids, you should always unload the weapon.”

WWJ spoke with Dundee Police Chief David Uhl:

“They are friends and the suspect’s wife and the suspect live at this residence with the victim’s father,” said Chief Uhl.

He is very distraught and doesn’t have a whole lot to say about the situation. He is just very, very upset.”

Damon was pronounced dead Sunday at a hospital in Ann Arbor. There were five other people in the home at the time of the accident — including Damon’s dad.

An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Dundee Police Department at 734-529-3430.